Deputy News: Safe Play

Playing Safely on the Playground: Our Commitment to Student Well-Being

At St Joseph's, the safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities, especially when it comes to their time on the playground. We believe that a safe and enjoyable playground experience is essential for our students' physical and social development. To ensure this, we have a comprehensive program that equips students with the skills they need to play safely and respectfully with their peers.

Classroom Lessons: The Foundation of Safe Play

Our approach begins in the classroom, where we teach students the essential social skills needed for positive interactions on the playground. Here's how we do it:

Asking to Play: We encourage students to be inclusive and considerate. They learn how to politely ask to join a game or invite others to play. Phrases like "Can I join in?" or "Would you like to play with us?" are practiced to help them feel confident in approaching their peers.

Role-Playing Games: To prepare students for a variety of playground activities, we engage them in role-playing different games and choices they might encounter. This helps them understand the rules, share responsibilities, and ensure everyone has fun.

Problem-Solving Skills: Conflicts can arise during play, and we want our students to handle them constructively. We teach them how to identify a problem, communicate their feelings, and find a solution together. Whether it's taking turns, sharing equipment, or agreeing on rules, these skills are invaluable for harmonious play.

Seeking Help: Sometimes, students may encounter situations that they cannot resolve on their own. We empower them to seek help from a teacher or playground supervisor when needed. They learn that asking for assistance is a positive action and ensures everyone's safety.

Reinforcement on the Playground

To help reinforce important lessons, our yard duty teachers actively engage with students during recess and lunch. They gently remind and guide students, helping them apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-life situations.

Sometimes, things don't go as planned on the playground. While we do our best to address issues before they escalate, students might make the wrong choice in the heat of the moment. In these cases, teachers follow our acceptable behaviour policy.

Students are given time to calm down, and we hold restorative conversations between the students involved. If necessary, logical consequences are applied, leadership is informed, and parents may be contacted.

We believe that our proactive measures not only create a safer playground but also foster a sense of community and respect among our students. By equipping children with the skills to play safely and solve problems independently, we are helping them build lifelong social skills that will benefit them beyond the playground.

Thank you for your continued support in making St Joseph's a safe and nurturing environment for all our students. If you have any questions or would like more information about our approached to safety on the playground, please feel free to reach out.

Alannah Harrison & Tom Hartney

Deputy Principals